I'm 61 and just starting to research this myself - thank you all for such detailed explanations! This thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding how the SSA calculator actually works. I had no idea it was making these assumptions about continued earnings. One question I haven't seen addressed yet: for those of you who stopped working but delayed claiming until FRA, how did you handle health insurance during those bridge years? That seems like it could be a major expense that might offset some of the benefits of this strategy. Also, @Miranda Singer, have you been able to pull your detailed earnings history yet? I'm curious what you discovered about whether continuing to work would actually replace lower-earning years in your calculation or not. The spreadsheet approach mentioned by several people sounds really smart - I think I'll try creating different scenarios too rather than just looking at the confusing calculator numbers!

I'm 64 and just went through this exact same confusion last month! The SSA calculator really doesn't make it clear that it assumes continued earnings at your current level until FRA - I spent weeks trying to figure out why my numbers kept changing. What finally cleared it up for me was calling the SSA directly (took forever to get through) and having them explain that the $270 drop you're seeing when you input zeros is likely accurate. That represents the difference between continuing to earn $68,500/year until 67 (which might replace some lower-earning years in your "highest 35 years" calculation) versus stopping now with your current earnings history. But here's the key insight I wish I'd understood earlier: you don't have to choose between "keep working until FRA" and "stop working and claim reduced benefits now." There's a third option - stop working at 63 but delay claiming until your FRA at 67. This way you'd get your full unreduced benefit based on your current earnings history, without the 20-25% penalty for claiming early. The challenge is bridging those 4 years financially without Social Security income, but if you can manage it (through savings, part-time work under the earnings limit, or spousal support), you could end up with the best of both worlds - freedom from work stress AND your full benefit amount. I'd definitely recommend pulling your detailed Social Security earnings statement to see your year-by-year history. That'll help you understand whether those additional years at $68,500 would actually replace lower-earning years or not. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I'm new to this community and wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed and helpful discussion! As someone who will be facing a similar decision in the coming years, this thread has been more educational than anything I've found on official government websites. The key takeaway I'm getting from all the experienced members here is crystal clear: the earnings test continues until the MONTH you reach your Full Retirement Age, not just when you turn 66. For the original poster with an FRA of March 2026, this means the higher earnings limit (around $62,160 for 2025) will apply from April 2025 all the way through February 2026. What I really appreciate about this community is all the practical advice shared - from setting up My Social Security accounts online to verify exact FRA dates, to calling local SSA field offices for shorter wait times, to keeping detailed monthly earnings records. These are the kinds of real-world insights that make all the difference but are impossible to find in official publications. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone dealt with the situation where you might have irregular income (like consulting work or seasonal employment) while navigating these earnings limits? I'm wondering if there are any strategies for managing variable income to stay under the annual threshold while still maximizing earnings during the restriction period. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex Social Security rules!

I'm new to this community and wanted to share my perspective as someone who recently navigated a very similar situation. The thread above has been incredibly helpful and accurate based on my own experience. I turned 66 in September 2024 but my FRA wasn't until June 2025 (66 and 9 months). Like many others here, I initially thought the earnings limits would end when I turned 66, but learned the hard way that they continue until the MONTH you reach your actual Full Retirement Age. For your specific situation with an FRA of March 2026, you'll be subject to the higher earnings limit (approximately $62,160 for 2025) from when you claim benefits in April 2025 all the way through February 2026. Only starting in March 2026 will you have completely unrestricted earnings. Your $42,000 from January-April 2025 is well below the threshold, so you're definitely in good shape there. Just make sure to track your total earnings carefully through February 2026. One thing I learned that might help: I created a simple monthly tracking system using a basic spreadsheet to monitor my progress against the annual limit. This gave me confidence throughout the year that I was staying on track. Also, the SSA sends annual statements showing your reported earnings, which can help verify everything matches up when they do their review. The confusion about these rules is so understandable - the shift from FRA being 65-66 years ago to 67+ now creates this gap that trips up a lot of people. But once you understand that it's your actual FRA month that matters (not turning 66), the planning becomes much more manageable. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion - this community is such a valuable resource for getting real-world insights on these complex Social Security rules!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might be helpful for your planning. One thing I learned when helping my disabled nephew is that you should also consider the impact of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) on survivor benefits. These annual adjustments apply to survivor benefits the same way they do to regular SSDI, so if you delay your own retirement benefits to age 70 to maximize what your daughter could receive, those higher survivor benefits would also receive COLA increases over her lifetime. Also, I'd suggest documenting your daughter's current care team and medical providers as part of your planning process. When survivor benefits eventually kick in, having a clear record of her ongoing medical needs and the professionals involved in her care can be valuable for any future benefit reviews or appeals that might be needed. The coordination strategy others mentioned about timing with your ex-husband is really important, but don't forget to also consider your own health and financial situation. While delaying benefits to 70 could maximize survivor benefits for your daughter, make sure you're not creating financial hardship for yourself in the meantime, especially since you'll likely be her primary caregiver and advocate for years to come. Your proactive approach to this planning is exactly what every family in this situation should be doing. The combination of all the strategies discussed in this thread - getting those benefit estimates, consulting with specialized attorneys, understanding state programs - will give your daughter the strongest possible financial foundation for her future.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm in a very similar situation with my disabled adult daughter who receives SSDI, and I've been struggling to get clear answers about survivor benefits and planning strategies. Reading through all the expert advice and real experiences shared here has given me a complete roadmap for what I need to do. The suggestions about requesting Form SSA-7004 for benefit estimates, coordinating claiming strategies between divorced parents, getting everything in writing from SSA, and working with specialized attorneys who understand adult disabled child benefits are exactly what I needed to hear. I'm particularly grateful for the Social Security caseworker who clarified the key rules, and for everyone who shared specific resources like the Protection & Advocacy organizations, ABLE accounts, and state disability supplement programs. It's amazing how this community has turned what seemed like an overwhelming and confusing situation into a manageable planning process with concrete steps to take. @LordCommander, thank you for asking the questions that so many of us have been wondering about. Your proactive approach to planning while both parents are still healthy is inspiring, and I'm sure your daughter will benefit tremendously from all the strategic thinking you're putting into her future security. This thread should be required reading for every family dealing with adult disabled child benefits!

This is exactly the kind of question I had when my husband and I were doing our Social Security planning! The good news is that yes, you will receive his full age-70 benefit amount as your survivor benefit. The delayed retirement credits he earned by waiting until 70 become part of your survivor benefit - that's the whole point of the delay strategy when there's a significant difference between spouses' benefits. I went through a similar decision process with my financial planner, and she emphasized that delaying benefits is essentially purchasing a higher survivor benefit that lasts for life. In your case, that's an extra $1,510 per month ($3,750 vs your current $2,240) - a substantial difference that will really matter for your financial security. One practical tip I learned: start organizing all your important documents now (marriage certificate, both of your Social Security statements, etc.) in one easily accessible place. When the time comes to apply for survivor benefits, you'll need these documents and the process will be much smoother if everything is ready. The application can't be done online, so you'll either need to call SSA or visit an office in person. Your husband really did make the right choice for both of you!

I'm so glad you asked this question because it's something that affects many couples but isn't always clearly explained! Based on what I've learned about Social Security rules, you will indeed receive your husband's full age-70 benefit amount ($3,750) as your survivor benefit, not just what he would have gotten at his full retirement age. The delayed retirement credits (DRCs) that your husband earned by waiting until age 70 will transfer to you as the surviving spouse - that's exactly why financial planners often recommend this strategy for couples where one spouse has significantly higher earnings. In your case, that means you'd receive almost $1,500 more per month than your current benefit, which makes a huge difference over time. Since you've been married for 32 years and have a clear earnings history with Social Security, your situation should be straightforward when the time comes. Just remember that you'll need to contact Social Security directly (you can't apply for survivor benefits online) and have your important documents ready - marriage certificate, death certificate, and your Social Security information. Your husband's decision to delay really was like buying additional life insurance for you. Smart planning that will provide real financial security!

One final clarification that might help: If you're receiving your own reduced retirement benefit now and later become eligible for survivor benefits, you have options: 1. You can continue receiving your reduced retirement benefit and wait until your FRA to apply for unreduced survivor benefits ($2,150) 2. You can apply for reduced survivor benefits now (you'd get less than $2,150) and switch from your own benefit The optimal strategy depends on the difference between your current benefit and the survivor benefit you'd receive now vs. at FRA. SSA should be able to tell you the exact amounts to help you decide which option is best when the time comes.

I went through a similar situation when my husband passed two years ago. I had filed early at 62, and he had filed at his FRA. The key thing to remember is that you have flexibility in timing when you apply for survivor benefits - you don't have to take them immediately when your husband passes. In my case, I continued receiving my own reduced benefit for a few more years and then switched to his full survivor benefit when I reached my FRA. This gave me the maximum survivor benefit without any reduction for early claiming of survivor benefits. One practical tip: when the time comes, make sure to ask the SSA representative to calculate both scenarios for you - taking survivor benefits immediately vs waiting until your FRA. They should be able to show you the exact dollar amounts to help you make the best decision for your situation.